An inmate escaped from an Idaho hospital Wednesday with an accomplice who opened fire on the correction officers transporting him, striking two, in a “brazen” attack, authorities said.
Both suspects remain at large following the early morning “ambush,” the Idaho Department of Correction said.
The Idaho Department of Correction inmate, Skylar Meade, had been transported to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise for unscheduled medical treatment, authorities said. As correction officers were preparing to transport him back to prison around 2:15 a.m. local time, an unknown individual “attacked and fired” at the officers, Boise police said.
The Boise Police Department released this photo of Skylar Meade.
Boise Police Department
One officer is in critical but stable condition, and the second has serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
A third correction officer was shot by a Boise officer who responded to reports of an active shooter inside the hospital’s emergency department, Boise police said. The officer fired his weapon at an armed individual near the entrance who was determined to be an Idaho Department of Correction officer, police said. The correction officer was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
The hospital was temporarily locked down as Boise officers searched the area for the shooting suspect, police said. Investigators ultimately determined that Meade and his accomplice fled in a gray four-door sedan, possibly a Honda Civic, just prior to Boise officers arriving, police said.
“This brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the Emergency Department, where people come for medical help, often in the direst circumstances,” Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said in a statement. “I am grateful this harrowing incident did not result in loss of life, and we are monitoring the wounded IDOC officers with great hope for a full and speedy recovery of all involved.”
Meade, 31, has most recently been serving time at a maximum security prison in Kuna for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a firearm enhancement, according to police and Idaho Department of Correction records. His sentence was through October 2036, with parole eligibility starting in October 2026, the correction records show.
Meade has been incarcerated since October 2016 and has prior convictions including felony possession of a controlled substance, grand theft and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, police said.
The Boise Police Department released this photo of a vehicle sought in connection with inmate Skylar Meade.
Boise Police Department
Authorities urged anyone who may have contact with the two suspects to call 911.
“They are armed, dangerous, and have shown they are willing to use extreme violence in furtherance of their criminal activity,” Winegar said.
Meade was described by authorities as a white, 5-foot-6 man weighing 150 pounds with hazel eyes and brown hair. He has tattoos on his arms, chest, calf, abdomen and face.
Following the lockdown, the hospital has since resumed normal operations.
The Ada County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the officer shooting, Boise police said.
Authorities are on high alert as they search for an escaped inmate and his accomplice following a daring ambush at a local hospital. The incident occurred when the inmate, who was being treated at the hospital under heavy guard, managed to overpower his guards and flee with the help of his accomplice.
The inmate, who was serving time for a violent crime, is considered armed and dangerous. Authorities are urging the public to be cautious and report any sightings of the fugitive duo immediately.
The escape has raised serious concerns about security protocols at the hospital and the safety of both patients and staff. Hospital administrators are working closely with law enforcement to review and strengthen security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In the meantime, residents in the area are advised to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities. The escaped inmate and his accomplice are believed to be on the run and may be desperate to avoid capture.
As the search intensifies, authorities are asking for the public’s cooperation in providing any information that may lead to the apprehension of the fugitives. The safety of the community is paramount, and law enforcement officials are working tirelessly to ensure that the escaped inmate and his accomplice are brought to justice.
In situations like these, it is crucial for everyone to remain vigilant and report any unusual or suspicious activity to authorities. By working together, we can help ensure the safety and security of our communities.
